Drug Helpline

Addiction Information for Parents
Friends and families of drug substance users / are often faced with a situation they feel totally unprepared to cope. It starts with a lack of basic information about drugs and issues of alcohol awareness. This results in addiction are often misunderstood and even more difficult to control.

Parents may be too afraid to ask for help, discouraged by the stigma of having a drug user in the family and worry about what people think of them. There are also serious concerns, because their son or daughter is breaking the law, risk exclusion from school and sometimes even face charges of possession and / or supply of illegal drugs. These things can make it seem impossible to approach the authorities to get the professional help they need, for fear of legal consequences.

David Blunkett the Home Office formally launched in 2003 two years against the stigma of the campaign. The aim was to help dispel the shame and embarrassment that can be experienced by the families of drug users and addicts who can prevent access advice and support.

The government's strategy against the drug is intended to encompass not only those who have the problem of drug abuse, but families and relationships with drug users over the "forgotten victims of addiction." This is accomplished by the provision of services for caregivers and parents. Part of this campaign was the introduction of Frank, an independent government-funded helpline for drugs which replaced the National Drugs Helpline.

In a period of seven months in 2007, the total number of calls made to FRANK has 26,059 representing an average of 120 calls per day, demonstrating the clear need for more public information on drugs and abuse alcohol / drug abuse.

A breakdown of calls made to show that the drug FRANK was the subject of most appeals was Cannabis / Marijuana, a total of 6,617 calls totaling just over 25 per cent of total calls in period. According to statistics, it is the drug most widely taken illegal in schools. This was followed closely by cocaine totaling 5728 calls for a little less than 22 per cent of total call volume.

At the other end of the scale, the two drugs with the fewest calls were Viagra, attracting 11 calls and khat (a stimulant herbal is legal in the United Kingdom, although illegal in many countries, including the U.S.) drawing six calls.

Although alcohol abuse and binge drinking is a growing problem in society, calls about what accounted for 2.92 percent of demand.

Friends of drug users or parents concerned about their children can access immediate advice on all aspects of drug and alcohol anonymously and in strict confidentiality.

The helpline free, confidential FRANK, also available online at www.talktofrank.com, aims at supporting families and users and contains a ZA - medicines, FAQ sections, details of the location where to find help, etc. Drug-Aware were recently added to the database talktofrank as a useful resource for site visitors. Visit our list which is on talktofrank.

For advice and support to help further:

In the United Kingdom, Talk to Frank call the hotline of the government funded drug alcohol / 0800 77 66 00 or http://www.talktofrank.com

In the U.S., call toll free 1-800-559-9503 Addiction Research http://www.addictionsearch.com or someone to help you and assist you in the right direction.

Some parents may choose to purchase testing at home as the first step towards regaining some control over their children's drug and alcohol abuse / addiction.

Addiction: children or teenagers Drug Testing

Someone recently asked what my position was on the children of drug testing / teens. Here is a short version of my reply ..